Managing depression can be a real challenge, especially if you don’t respond well to antidepressants.

Did you know that according to a 2021 study, 37% of people who suffer from depression don’t find any relief from traditional treatment methods?

Luckily, there are other ways you can get the support you need.

Esketamine is an alternative treatment for managing depression. But what is esketamine? And how do you use it to treat depression? At Long Island Ketamine Infusions, we offer esketamine treatments to help people tacking their depression. We’ve found that it’s particularly beneficial for those who don’t respond well to SSRIs or want to try another treatment for depression.

Here’s everything you need to know about esketamine and how you can use it to treat depression.

What Is Esketamine?

Pharma companies use ketamine to create esketamine. While some people use ketamine to treat their depression, esketamine is a more potent version of ketamine. Since it’s more impactful, you can find relief with a lower dosage and see fewer potential side effects.

How Do You Get Esketamine Treatment?

Your doctor will administer the esketamine treatment via nasal spray. You’ll get three doses at once, one every five minutes. Once you receive your esketamine treatment, you’ll need to stay at your doctor’s office for a while to ensure there aren’t any immediate adverse side effects.

Make sure not to drive or make any important decisions within two hours of treatment, as the esketamine can significantly alter your mood after it’s administered.

Is Esketamine Effective?

Yes, esketamine is incredibly effective, especially for those who have not found relief with SSRIs, talk therapy or a combination of the two. Most people start to feel a difference within six infusions. Some start to feel a difference after just a few hours.

I Haven’t Tried SSRIs Yet - Can I Try Esketamine?

We don’t recommend trying esketamine unless you’ve tried SSRIs. More specifically, it’s best if you try two other antidepressants for six weeks and haven’t noticed a significant improvement in your mood. If you try at least two other antidepressants and don’t feel at least 50% better than before, esketamine or ketamine treatments might be a good fit for you.

How Do I Get Started With Esketamine?

Ask your healthcare provider to refer you to a specialist for esketamine treatment. Not all primary care doctors can offer this kind of treatment at their offices, plus it’s best to get treatment from a trained specialist. Once you’ve found a specialist who can offer esketamine treatments, schedule a consultation appointment to learn more about how it might help you.

Mental health challenges are always difficult to work through, especially when more traditional forms of treatment don’t seem to work for you. However, with the help of alternative treatments like esketamine or ketamine, you can start to feel more like yourself again.

Want to learn more about our esketamine treatment options? Contact Long Island Ketamine Infusions today! We’d be happy to help you.